WITH a desire to pursue a career in music or fine art and inspired by diverse stories and experiences of professionals in the music industry, 18-year-old Year 12 student at Newhaven College, Cecily de Gooyer took the opportunity in front of her and auditioned for The Voice 2025.
“At first, I wasn’t too sure. I was really hesitant about it.”
The process to even get to the Blind Audition is long, layered, and not something she’d ever imagined herself doing.
“It’s such a unique opportunity,” said Cecily.
“And when opportunities like that are literally handed to you, I don’t know. I just got really excited to see where it could take me.”
It was the vulnerability that kept Cecily second-guessing.
“Putting yourself, your art, on a reality show is a different kind of exposure, it’s kind of like sharing your art in a really vulnerable way, where you are literally being judged.”
The Voice may be about talent, but it is also reality television, and Cecily said the social media opinions and judgment can make the experience daunting – especially for a Year 12 student navigating her studies interstate.
“I spent my first term of Year 12 in Sydney, juggling studies and time in the studio.”
That in itself was a huge decision for Cecily.
Despite the nerves that Cecily said were an adrenaline rush, she has met so many incredibly talented people, and that has been the most amazing part of the experience.
Living with other contestants, all with their own dreams and stories, gave her a new perspective.
“You get to speak with people who are incredibly passionate and accomplished, and you just learn so much. I realised there are so many pathways into this industry.”
For a young artist, that’s exactly what she needed to see.
“If you love it, then you will get there,” she said.
Cecily has a strong support system – including teacher and mentor, Elly Poletti, a former contestant of The Voice.
“Elly and I had long phone calls while I was interstate. She really helped me keep in the right headspace. She knew what the world was like.
“This experience has really solidified that I want to be in this world – I want to create music, tell stories and make art.”
Watch Cecily’s Blind Audition on Tuesday, August 26 at 7.30 pm on The Voice on Seven and 7plus.
